Saudi Pro League source provides major Mason Greenwood Man Utd transfer update

Mason Greenwood moving to a club in Saudi Arabia would be “very surprising”, according to a BBC report.

The 21-year-old is leaving United by mutual consent upon the conclusion of a six-month internal investigation into his conduct. Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 following allegations based on material which was published online.

Charges against the England international, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February this year.

Nevertheless, United said in a statement on Monday: "All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.

"It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome."

Saudi teams have spent big money on some of Europe’s most famous names this summer, and as per the BBC, Greenwood has been discussed by the league internally.

Transfers in Saudi Arabia work differently to England, with the league doing deals for players before assigning which club they will play for.

And the Saudi Pro League reportedly feel it would not be the right move for Greenwood this summer.

According to the first female vice-president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (Saff) Lamia Bahaian women's football is ”breaking records” in the country.

This may have disincentivised the league to pursue a move for Greenwood.

The Saff have seen an 86 per cent rise in registered female players last year, while the number of women's clubs nationally is said to have risen by 56 per cent.

A source told the BBC: "The government have created a women's league, which is about to start its second season on 11 October. That is also an important difference because it is being seen as for the whole community.

"That is an incredible change, women's football was totally frowned upon; now there is a national team with a Fifa ranking.

"Women are playing without head coverings and there are male fans in the stands, that is a big cultural shift."

Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard said on Instagram that reports that his side are looking to sign Greenwood are "fake news".